SEARCH FOR TRIPS

Day 1: Arrive Santiago

Morning airport reception and transfer to the Hotel Rugendas where you'll have a few hours to rest before your 2pm tour of Santiago. Begin at the famous Mercado Central, one of Chile’s largest fresh seafood markets and stroll by the many bustling stalls to see the tremendous variety available from Chile’s bountiful sea. Next to the market is Plaza de Armas, Santiago’s main square and kilometer zero, the point from which all distances in the country are measured. Famous architecture in the square includes the Metropolitan cathedral and the central post office, originally built as a house for Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. Close by stands the Justice Tribunal, in a neo-classical building housing the Supreme Court, ex-Congress and beautiful gardens.

From here walk towards the Alameda, the main street of the city centre, via busy pedestrian walkway Paseo Ahumada. A few more blocks takes you to the Presidential palace, La Moneda. A model of 18th century colonial architecture, the palace is one of Santiago’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of Chile’s political past and its famously turbulent history.

At Cerro Santa Lucía, you’ll climb to the top where Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro Valdivia and take in the great 360 panoramic view of Santiago. Finish in the bohemian Lastarria neighborhood, lined with cafés, restaurants, small theaters, bookstores and boutique shops then return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight at Hotel Rugendas.

Day 2: Puerto Varas Mountain Biking

Fly to Puerto Montt, gateway to Northern Patagonia and the Lakes District. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your local guide and start your adventure with a mountain bike trip through Vicente Perez Rosales National Park and around the Osorno Volcano. After biking uphill for a little over 1 mile on paved roads, you connect with the El Solitario, a small track which moves between old native forest, tongues of hardened lava, and post-eruption forest. As you bike up and down this 4-mile track, enjoy great views of the volcanoes and the Lago Llanquihue. After the downhill section, ride in the direction of the waterfalls (Saltos de Petrohué) for one of the most iconic views in Chile, the rushing Petrohue river with snowy Osorno in the background. The last section is an easy paved road (about 5 miles) back to the starting point, in a special bike lane. Here you can pause on the shores of Lago Llanquihue or Laguna Verde, and then return to Puerto Varas to check-in at Hotel Puerto Chico. Overnight at Hotel Puerto Chico.

Day 3: White Water Rafting and Canyoning

Return to the Rio Petrohue to experience the thrilling rapids of this famous river. Professional rafting guides will give a safety briefing before you don gear and paddle through the morning. Afterwards, enjoy a picnic lunch riverside before moving to the Rio Blanco for a bit of canyoning. After a 25 minute hike, enter the lower river gorge and water conditions permitting, enjoy an exciting afternoon of sliding and jumping down rapids and rappelling down beside a steep waterfall. Be sure to wear comfortable, active-wear today and bring your bathing suits. Complete technical gear (helmets, rappelling gear, wet suits) is provided.

At the end of the day, continue to Campo Aventura’s Riverside Lodge, situated along the Rio Cochamo at the head of the Pioneer Trail. Enjoy dinner in the restaurant, relax on the river beach and prepare for your horseback adventure into the La Junta Valley the following day. Overnight at the Riverside Lodge.

Day 4: Trail Ride to La Junta Valley

After a hearty breakfast, saddle up and head out on horseback for the ride to the back country Mountain Lodge, located in La Junta Valley. Pass through the towering trees of the temperate rainforest, including the giant Alerce trees which can live over 4,000 years. Following a centuries-old trail carved by gauchos, missionaries and bandits, cross crystal rivers and pass by thundering waterfalls as you make your way to the glacially-carved La Junta Valley. Tucked away high in the Andes, the soaring granite walls have drawn comparison to the Yosemite Valley. The balance of the afternoon is yours to relax and settle in to your mountain home. The Mountain Lodge consists of four bedrooms and two bathrooms with hot showers. Meals are prepared on a wood-burning stove and shared family-style with your hosts and guides. One evening you will enjoy a typical asado meal – an outdoor BBQ beloved throughout Patagonia. Overnights at Campo Aventura’s Mountain Lodge.

Day 5: La Junta Valley

Free day to hike through the Valley’s many trails through old growth forest, ride, swim or just relax on the terrace, from where you have a 360° view of the surrounding granite peaks and waterfalls. More challenging trails include the steep hikes above timberline to the granite prominences of Arco Iris, La Paloma or Cerro Trinidad, the largest peak in the valley, some of which require using a series of fixed ropes for aid to ascend. Your guide will discuss various options with you. Overnight at the Mountain Lodge.

Day 6: Ride to Riverside Lodge and Cochamo River

Morning for another short hike or just soaking in the mountain scenery. Savor your last lunch in the mountains then bid farewell to La Junta Valley at you travel back down the Cochamo trail on horseback. Late afternoon arrival at the Riverside Lodge to enjoy dinner, take a dip in the river and settle back into the comfortable accommodations.

Day 7: Fjord Cruise with Local Fishermen

An early start precludes a relaxing day of cultural immersion as you depart the Riverside Lodge and board a local fishing vessel to cruise the Reloncavi Fjord. Heading south through the fjord you can view the silent Volcan Yates and the jagged Calbuco, passing other fishermen on the way. At Marimelli Island, observe a sea lion colony at close range as they bark, splash, and depending on the time of year, play with their pups. After photographing and watching these creatures, head to the nearby home of a fisherman and his family to share a traditional curranto lunch – a variety of shellfish, vegetables and meat wrapped in leaves and slow-baked in an underground oven. Share stories, traditions and a meal together, then time and tide conditions permitting, cruise to the termas (tidal hot springs) where you can take a dip before heading back to Puerto Varas. Bid farewell to your boat hosts and transfer in to town for a final overnight at Puerto Chico Hotel.

Day 8: Puerto Varas to Torres del Paine

Transfer to Puerto Montt for a morning flight to Punta Arenas and then drive north through the vast Patagonian pampa to Puerto Natales, following the coastal route along the Straits of Magellan in Tierra del Fuego (256km/160 miles/3 hrs). After lunch in Puerto Natales, continue into Torres del Paine National Park (246 km/153 miles/ 2 hrs) stopping at the Milodon Cave where the remains of a giant prehistoric sloth were discovered. Arrive for dinner and overnight under the southern constellations at EcoCamp Patagonia in either standard domes or Suite Quad Domes for four people, located within Torres del Paine National Park.

Days 9-11: Hiking & Biking Torres del Paine National Park

Explorations in and around the park vary according to the day of the week and interests and abilities of individual guests. Each day there is an easy excursion by car with walking and light hiking, and a second option that is designed for more active hikers. Most excursions are full day although some are half-day allowing for exploration and relaxed time in the vicinity of the camp. Easy outings include a drive to Laguna Azul Lake with a warmer microclimate and walk among ancient beech forests with opportunities for spotting diverse bird life, particularly the Magellanic woodpecker. Another walk over flat terrain across the "Ruta de la Fauna" at Lake Sarmiento affords easy observation of guanacos and the panoramic views of the Paine massif especially the Cuernos, or Horns of Paine. More challenging all day hikes include an ascent to the base of the Torres del Paine massif, and another is crossing Lake Pehoe by boat and hiking the French Valley into the heart of the Park. Two mountain bike excursions over rolling, mixed terrain are also offered on set days throughout the week for those who prefer the opportunity to explore on two wheels instead of two feet. Return each day for dinner and overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia.

Day 12: Depart Patagonia

Depart Torres del Paine in the late morning and transfer to either Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas for your late afternoon flight to Santiago. Airport assistance upon arrival into Santiago and overnight at the Holiday Inn Airport Hotel just outside of the arrivals hall.